General Discussion

dorkzilla

(5,141 posts) Sat Mar 28, 2015, 06:42 PM Mar 2015

Help me out guys; how to YOU counter stupidity from RW relatives? [View all]

I just had to listen to my mother yelling about how Obama “clearly hates America” and is a “racist”, how he “hates Israel” and how the letter from the 47 Senators was justified because “Obama did it first” and all this nonsense. I kept asking her to give me CONCRETE EXAMPLES of Obama’s hatred for the US, or what Obama did to violate the old rule that politics stops at water’s edge. She stammered through the entire conversation and then told me I should just not talk to her anymore.

She’ll be quiet for a while but she’ll eventually come back around, and this stupid cycle will begin again, where we agree not to talk politics but SHE will bring it up again, then I will try and get her to quantify shit she allegedly believes (only because Fox told her to) and she’ll give me a non-answer and shut down.

My mother is 73 and I know she’s not going to be around forever, I love her and want to have a relationship with her but I cannot ignore shite like “the President hates America”. I don’t know what to do to get around or through this.

Any suggestions/advice apart from putting her on ignore?

143 replies

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Highlight:

Help me out guys; how to YOU counter stupidity from RW relatives? [View all] dorkzilla Mar 2015 OP

Throw out her TV. pangaia Mar 2015 #1

Remove Fox from her cable package and buy her a DU subscription. Fred Sanders Mar 2015 #5

Well, Sherman A1 Mar 2015 #2

Won't work. HERVEPA Mar 2015 #8

Might be worth a try Sherman A1 Mar 2015 #14

HERVEPA is right, it won�t work dorkzilla Mar 2015 #25

Then I have Sherman A1 Mar 2015 #51

She may be trying to push your buttons, so the best way is to change the subject. Have some ideas underahedgerow Mar 2015 #79

You�re right of course dorkzilla Mar 2015 #89

Ask her if she feels the same about you and at least fifty one percent of Americans. Bandit Mar 2015 #127

Probably worth while to remind yourself that love requires respect salib Mar 2015 #3

Respect is earnerd HERVEPA Mar 2015 #10

It shouldn't be dems_rightnow Mar 2015 #132

Default doesn't apply in this case. Default assumes lack of bad interactions. HERVEPA Mar 2015 #143

that's a two way street Duppers Mar 2015 #136

Simple HERVEPA Mar 2015 #4

I agree. Walk out, hang up. betsuni Mar 2015 #21

That's what I do with my dad. Mariana Mar 2015 #61

Fox is contributing to the deaths of its audience Tom Ripley Mar 2015 #101

That's what I do. smirkymonkey Mar 2015 #135

They always start in on this bullshit Mariana Mar 2015 #139

So true, it's like they are addicted to hate. smirkymonkey Mar 2015 #141

You've already done what I would have suggested, elleng Mar 2015 #6

Thanks for understanding dorkzilla Mar 2015 #41

Very sorry about this, elleng Mar 2015 #54

Just say okay, Mom what ever you think. leftofcool Mar 2015 #7

Would that I could! dorkzilla Mar 2015 #28

"at that age it is pretty hard to convince the old gals"... HRC is 67 antigop Mar 2015 #59

Except one is an accomplished woman who keeps herself stimulated and the other is watching Fox dorkzilla Mar 2015 #67

BWAHAA! You made a blanket statement. nt antigop Mar 2015 #74

Sooo true! I'm 72, and I read all the time, and play challenging games on my computer. napi21 Mar 2015 #115

Avoid the relative. nt valerief Mar 2015 #9

Other than throwing out her TV SheilaT Mar 2015 #11

To keep the peace.. haikugal Mar 2015 #12

Its excruciating... dorkzilla Mar 2015 #22

Your mission, should you choose to accept it..... haikugal Mar 2015 #40

HA! I tell her that all the time �the apple doesn�t fall far from the tree" dorkzilla Mar 2015 #43

Hey haikugal... beam me up scottie Mar 2015 #56

LOL... haikugal Mar 2015 #58

I am 73 also and she probably has trouble understanding a lot of things about what is going on jwirr Mar 2015 #50

Unfortunately... Fiendish Mar 2015 #68

Interesting point about not using reason... dorkzilla Mar 2015 #78

Yeah... Fiendish Mar 2015 #81

Oh, I TOTALLY agree about it not just being a right-wing thing dorkzilla Mar 2015 #83

Well... Fiendish Mar 2015 #93

I read "The Loudest Voice in the Room" unauthorized biography of Roger Ailes. Snarkoleptic Mar 2015 #113

I can see a parallel Duppers Mar 2015 #140

I ask them where they got this information and usually it goes back to what some Cleita Mar 2015 #13

I don�t even have to ask her - FOX is ALWAYS on in her house! dorkzilla Mar 2015 #16

That's because all Fox and the RW pundits like Rush Limbaugh do is bait people's Cleita Mar 2015 #23

Oh but don�t you know? OBAMA is the RACIST! dorkzilla Mar 2015 #33

You got my sympathy. Cleita Mar 2015 #35

Switch her to MSNBC & Ed Schultz at 5:00 or change to Dish/Direct for the Free Speech TV appalachiablue Mar 2015 #42

My avatar is (look away people that said not to tell you!!!!) dorkzilla Mar 2015 #45

Like I thought, thanks. Does your mother like 17th English diarists & history? I mean as a appalachiablue Mar 2015 #53

No, unfortunately dorkzilla Mar 2015 #64

With her fixed habits setting limits for conversations might be the only way. Good luck- appalachiablue Mar 2015 #134

Can't you just walk out? beam me up scottie Mar 2015 #15

Fortunately she lives on the other side of the country dorkzilla Mar 2015 #18

Yeah, that's tough. beam me up scottie Mar 2015 #34

Heehee, time to grind the coffee!!!! nt dorkzilla Mar 2015 #46

If talking on the phone is the issue, establish a boundary, tell her consequences of her action and uppityperson Mar 2015 #44

I use that tactic when disciplining my mare. beam me up scottie Mar 2015 #49

I do that with mine too.. haikugal Mar 2015 #57

You know it! beam me up scottie Mar 2015 #60

My girls name is Haiku... haikugal Mar 2015 #62

So that's where you got the name! beam me up scottie Mar 2015 #63

Yeah...that's how. haikugal Mar 2015 #72

Gotta go mercuryblues Mar 2015 #55

I still have contact with my ex at family gatherings. Arkansas Granny Mar 2015 #17

That's sounds like the best way. I'm sure there is a tactful way to do it around Cleita Mar 2015 #24

As quite a few of my relatives are, unfortunately RW... davidsilver Mar 2015 #19

It infuriates me how they frighten and anger elderly people who should be ENJOYING their last years arcane1 Mar 2015 #20

Ailes certainly seems to know what he�s doing dorkzilla Mar 2015 #39

As I said upthread Mariana Mar 2015 #66

Honestly MOST of my RW relatives are beyond reaching. Adrahil Mar 2015 #26

I would agree that right about now he hates his job allforone Mar 2015 #27

that, my friend, is where you just may be wrong... handmade34 Mar 2015 #73

Well, for my right wing relatives who support the UN, despite its bullying of Israel: Wella Mar 2015 #29

a tremendous amount of money spent using mass media to promote rightwing fascism. pretzel4gore Mar 2015 #30

Don't talk about politics. Nye Bevan Mar 2015 #31

Luckily I don't have any RW ones. hobbit709 Mar 2015 #32

The counter to stupidity is intelligence seveneyes Mar 2015 #36

Nearly identical situation. She's too old to change. I tell her she needs to get her news from GoneFishin Mar 2015 #37

Tell her anybody who posts that shit to you online will go on block, including her. Warpy Mar 2015 #38

With silence and patience. n/t cherokeeprogressive Mar 2015 #47

I think that�s going to have to be the way to go n/t dorkzilla Mar 2015 #80

I have this happen. I usually simply state a fact. treestar Mar 2015 #48

how do YOU counter stupidity from RW relatives? juxtaposed Mar 2015 #52

Hahahahahaa! nt dorkzilla Mar 2015 #65

I disowned the assholes. tabasco Mar 2015 #69

Unfortunately it appears she is too far gone Cali_Democrat Mar 2015 #70

Speak to them in French. A-Schwarzenegger Mar 2015 #71

Ah, zee languasssshh of zee cheese eating surrender monkeys!!! dorkzilla Mar 2015 #84

I tell my right wing relatives that I enjoy talking about politics IsItJustMe Mar 2015 #75

you counter the type of handmade34 Mar 2015 #76

I just "unfollowed" my fundy gay-hating cousin from my feed. Inkfreak Mar 2015 #77

I don't attend functions Aerows Mar 2015 #82

I instructed an aunt to never email me anything political ever again Skittles Mar 2015 #85

Oh, Skittles! dorkzilla Mar 2015 #86

not really sure Skittles Mar 2015 #87

I change the track of discussion to how people are basically good bhikkhu Mar 2015 #88

My husband told his brother and wife mountain grammy Mar 2015 #90

Just be a good son greytdemocrat Mar 2015 #91

daughter :) But your point is well taken dorkzilla Mar 2015 #94

Oops! Sorry. greytdemocrat Mar 2015 #100

dorkzilla's a daughter. :) Cha Mar 2015 #99

My Mother died last year DUgosh Mar 2015 #130

Sorry, to hear this, dorkzilla. It's really sad about fox "news" brainwashed victims. Cha Mar 2015 #92

I have; she says �stop watching MSNBC�...and I don�t even watch MSNBC dorkzilla Mar 2015 #97

You honeymooned on Maui! Wonderful.. and that you're going back for your first Anniversary! I'm Cha Mar 2015 #102

I will watch in the morning dorkzilla Mar 2015 #104

So happy you're busy at your restaurant! Yes, please do ask.. don't know about honeymoon places Cha Mar 2015 #106

I�m so relieved... dorkzilla Mar 2015 #108

I was just looking out at the Ocean in my studio loft window.. so peaceful.. It's 3 blocks away Cha Mar 2015 #111

Okay then I�ll stay in your studio! dorkzilla Mar 2015 #112

It is.. even with all the challenges(yes there are even when retired living on Kauai).. I'm glad I'm Cha Mar 2015 #114

Maybe if you are prepared with other topics of conversation that she has an interest in. LiberalAndProud Mar 2015 #95

That is the most compassionate explanation I�ve ever heard... dorkzilla Mar 2015 #98

It is time for the nuclear option edgineered Mar 2015 #96

1. Go in another room. 2. Get some dessert. 3. Drink. shenmue Mar 2015 #103

Take her television remote while you are there notadmblnd Mar 2015 #105

Snort...parental block!!! dorkzilla Mar 2015 #107

My wingnut parents are in that same age bracket and we have similar conversations. Snarkoleptic Mar 2015 #109

I laugh at them laundry_queen Mar 2015 #110

Here is my advice Marrah_G Mar 2015 #116

Exactly my fear dorkzilla Mar 2015 #122

I Know That Tune HassleCat Mar 2015 #117

The simple answer is to not take her bait. Jenoch Mar 2015 #118

you cannot Willem Mar 2015 #119

Get new relatives life is too short to put up with them anotojefiremnesuka Mar 2015 #120

Is she racist too? B Calm Mar 2015 #121

She says she isn�t but when ALL you see is the color of POTUS� skin dorkzilla Mar 2015 #125

Family mostly is dead fadedrose Mar 2015 #123

I had to change my e-mail address because of my cousin. He B Calm Mar 2015 #124

I have RW BIL and sister. Whenever certain subjects come up I say: Paper Roses Mar 2015 #126

She's abusing you... Bigmack Mar 2015 #128

Straightforward honesty. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Mar 2015 #129

treat her like a mental patient--start leaving brochures for "rest homes" around the house. librechik Mar 2015 #131

Thanks, everyone, for your responses!!! dorkzilla Mar 2015 #133

my older mother HATES gays Duppers Mar 2015 #137

Thankfully, she isn�t anti-gay at all dorkzilla Mar 2015 #138

Ask her why she is so filled with hate. Sweet Freedom Mar 2015 #142